Rapid deployment shelters and shelter systems

Abstract

Disclosed are shelters and shelter systems that may be conveniently and rapidly deployed. In certain aspects, the shelter systems disclosed herein are self-contained when configured in a stowed configuration and may be rapidly deployed by one or more users without the use of tools, thereby making them particularly useful for deployment, for example, in disaster-stricken areas. Also disclosed are composite insulating materials that may be used to construct various structures, including the shelters and shelter systems disclosed herein.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 107,925, filed Jan. 26, 2015, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Shelter, food, water and clothing represent key human needs that are necessary to satisfy long-term physical well-being and survival. Providing basic shelter may be particularly difficult in impoverished regions or in response to a crisis situation, for example, in response to natural or man-made disasters or in relation to relief efforts.[0003]While temporary shelter systems have been developed to facilitate responses to disaster relief efforts, such shelters may be difficult and time-consuming to assemble or deploy. Moreover, depending on the environment into which such shelters are to be deployed, the lack of electricity, tools and other resources may present specific challenges to an intended user that can dramatically limit the overall utility of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Provided herein are shelters and shelter systems (e.g., temporary modular shelter systems) that are configured for easy shipment and straightforward assembly, making them particularly suitable for use, for example, in active combat zones or in connection with disaster relief efforts. In certain aspects, the shelters and shelter systems described herein may be assembled quickly and easily and without the use of special tools or skilled labor, making them particularly suitable for use in connection with, for example, disaster relief efforts or international development efforts in poverty stricken areas, where special tooling may not be readily accessible.

[0012]It may be useful to elevate the shelters or assembled shelter systems disclosed herein off of the ground, for example, to keep the shelter and its contents away from insects, vermin or minor flooding. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the rigid floor panels each comprise an underside, and the underside of the one or more of the rigid floor panels comprise a plurality of footings or supporting members. In certain aspects, the footings are configured to releasably couple to the underside of the rigid floor panels. In certain embodiments, the footings elevate the assembled floor and the shelter structure off of the ground. It may also be useful to elevate the shelter system in its stowed configuration, accordingly in certain embodiments footings may be attached to the floor panels that form the container of shelter system. In certain aspects, the footings are adjustable. In certain aspects, the adjustable footings provide a means of levelling the shelter or assembled shelter system. For example, the footings may be adjusted to level a shelter that is placed on uneven terrain.

[0013]The shelters and assembled shelter systems disclosed herein comprise a roof. The roof of the shelter may be assembled by coupling (e.g., releasably coupling) a roof structure (e.g., a fabric or flexible roof structure) to a roof support structure (e.g., a roof support structure formed by a plurality of rafters prepared using wood, plywood, metal or thermoformed plastic). For example, the roof of the shelter may be formed or assembled by releasably coupling a flexible roof structure to an underlying plurality of rafters. In certain embodiments, the rafters do not project beyond the top caps. In certain embodiments, the roof comprises a roof support structure and a roof structure. In certain embodiments, the assembled roof of the shelter provides stability to the shelter (e.g., the assembled roof further stabilizes the walls of the shelter).

[0018]In certain aspects, the shelters and shelter systems disclosed herein are easily assembled and disassembled. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the assembled shelters may be disassembled, for example, disassembled without tools. In some embodiments, the shelters disclosed herein may be assembled without tools. Similarly, in certain embodiments, the shelters and shelter systems disclosed herein may be assembled by one, two or three persons.

Problems solved by technology

Providing basic shelter may be particularly difficult in impoverished regions or in response to a crisis situation, for example, in response to natural or man-made disasters or in relation to relief efforts.

While temporary shelter systems have been developed to facilitate responses to disaster relief efforts, such shelters may be difficult and time-consuming to assemble or deploy.

Moreover, depending on the environment into which such shelters are to be deployed, the lack of electricity, tools and other resources may present specific challenges to an intended user that can dramatically limit the overall utility of such shelters.

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